Florida Rep. Charlie Crist (D) continues to gain support for his gubernatorial candidacy, and his most recent endorsement takes Floridians back to the 2018 midterm election. In 2018, the Democratic ticket saw Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D) and business leader and activist Chris King (D) team up to claim the Governor’s mansion.
Though the ticket unsuccessfully ran, King has now announced that he is throwing his support behind Crist. Calling the upcoming 2022 midterm election “a breach-the-wall election,” King is hoping for Crist to unseat Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R).
In a statement, King outlined his reasons for endorsing Crist, arguing that it was because of Crist’s inclusive platforms.
“I have run against the forces of DeSantis and Trump, and I believe Charlie is the candidate that has all the skills, gift, and name identification across the state that can take a message of hope and healing, and take Florida in another direction,” King commented, adding that “Charlie cannot only win but be transformational.”
Sharing that Crist “knows what it takes to win a state as big as Florida,” King added that Democrats “need to be building a winning campaign and vision now,” which is why he is throwing his support behind Crist’s campaign.
“This is a pivotal moment for Florida – civil rights, voting rights, a strong economy, and a livable environment are all on the line,” noted King, and the endorsement comes the same week when Crist has announced the first portion of his “Justice for all” reform agenda.
In turn, King assured that Crist has “been fighting for a Florida for All for years,” and he called for Democrats to rally behind Crist to “unify our state and deliver for the people.”
While King has endorsed Crist for the highest elected position in the Sunshine State, Mayor Gillum has not yet endorsed either Crist or Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) in the primary election.
